• 2022-2023 CSPA Crown Award Finalist
The Student News Site of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Common Sense
The Student News Site of Thomas S. Wootton High School

Common Sense

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor

Senior Elizabeth Mehler is an Editor-in-chief in her fourth year on Common Sense. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with friends. She hopes you find Common Sense to be both engaging and informative. You can find her on IG @elizabeth.mehler

All content by Elizabeth Mehler
Editors-in-chief emeritus Maria Sofronas and Elizabeth Mehler visit the mall in 2017 (left). Sofronas and Mehler wear their future college shirts in the school parking lot on May 20 (right).

Thank you, Common Sense

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
May 22, 2024
Junior Noah Friedman holds the Silver Crown Award given to Common Sense. Friedman won an individual CSPA first place award for an article under the General or Humor Commentary section.

Common Sense’s hard work honored with Silver Crown, six Gold Circle awards

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
April 22, 2024
MCPS officials speak at a press conference at the Montgomery County Police Department First District on Apr. 19 regarding the arrest of former student Alex Ye.

We are not a statistic: How MCPS, police stopped a potential school shooting

Elizabeth Mehler and Maria Sofronas
April 20, 2024
Patricia Naylor-Lawson in the 1972 Fife & Drum yearbook (left). Naylor-Lawson substitute teaches during sixth period on Mar. 8 (right).

Patricia Naylor-Lawson: from first graduating class to substitute teaching nearly 50 years later

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
March 27, 2024
Senior Julia Messing catches up on her assigned reading for the AP Lit book, "A Tale for the Time Being," during class. "Compared to other books we read this year I think it's much more interesting," Messing said.

New book taught in AP Literature engages students, rejects censorship

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
March 11, 2024
Senior Zorawar Singh announced his commitment to the University of Maryland College Park on the class of 2024 senior sendoff instagram page.

University of Maryland College Park early action decisions released

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
February 16, 2024
The AI system ChatGPT responds to the user generated prompt with an entire article written by artificial intelligence.

Despite Artificial Intelligence’s growing abilities, humans remain center of journalism

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
January 22, 2024
Students stand in the baseball outfield after being evacuated from the school on Nov. 27 due to a bomb threat.

False bomb threat alarms students, staff

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
December 6, 2023
Voters enter the polls at Rockville City Hall on Nov. 7 to vote for the next mayor and six city council members.

Rockville elections brings new leadership, plans for more youth involvement in government

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
November 17, 2023
Principal Douglas Nelson sings with SGA co-president Rhea Chelar at GloCo on Oct. 6 .

New homecoming event GloCo sees increase in student engagement, enjoyment

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
November 1, 2023
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Parental Rights in Education" bill in March 2022, banning class instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation in schools.

Students find value in AP Psychology despite Florida controversy

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
October 13, 2023
A swastika, now removed, was found drawn on the back table of Room 187 on Sept. 7.

Hate symbols return; antisemitism remains prevalent in building

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
September 18, 2023
Junior Nico D'orazio and sophomore Emma Yuan throw powder at color run participants on May 19.

SGA promotes exercise, advocacy with annual spring project

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
May 27, 2023
Students given in-school intervention are placed in room 130B for their punishment.

In-school intervention is ineffective form of disciplinary action

Elizabeth Mehler, editor in chief
May 7, 2023
The proposed budget for Montgomery County Public Schools focuses on innovation, acceleration and support.

District leadership analyzes student performance data, considers where to provide additional support, at MCPS press briefing

Elizabeth Mehler, senior commons editor
February 14, 2023
Governor elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor elect Aruna Miller speak with voters in Montgomery County on Oct. 23.

Governor elect Wes Moore plans comprehensive changes to Maryland’s education system

Elizabeth Mehler, senior commons editor
December 18, 2022
Building service manager Anthony Murray works in his office before the school day begins.

Building service team keeps our school running

Elizabeth Mehler, senior commons editor
November 22, 2022
Junior Sivan Gil drinks from the water fountain in the locker banks between science hallways

We taste tested every water fountain in the school so you don’t have to

Elizabeth Mehler, senior commons editor
October 29, 2022
Thomas S. Wootton, the founder of Montgomery County, was a slave owner who's name is still engraved at the front of the school building.

Six MCPS schools under consideration for renaming due to racist namesakes

Elizabeth Mehler, commons editor
September 28, 2022
The initial CEO program was enhanced to guide support from law enforcement in MCPS schools through the Memorandum of Understanding.

MCPS signs Memorandum of Understanding, bringing Community Engagement Officers into schools

Elizabeth Mehler, senior commons editor
May 18, 2022
MCPS graduation rate increases for class of 2021

MCPS graduation rate increases for class of 2021

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
April 30, 2022
Sophomores Lindsey Mcney and Elsa Liljas compare a math test grade during lunch.

Teachers’ variation in grading policies unfair to students

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
March 22, 2022
Students work in teacher Victoria McCarthy's seventh period health class.

Health class requirement increased for current freshmen, future students

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
February 21, 2022
College application early decision options disadvantages low income students

College application early decision options disadvantages low income students

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
January 24, 2022
Freshman Ethan Mahoney works on a drawing in 2D Studio Art.

Guide to completing required art credit

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
December 27, 2021
Sophomore Ellie Mollica takes a quiz during advisory.

New rule allows students to move assessments when there are more than two a day; teachers manage logistics

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
November 23, 2021
Sophomore Lindsey Mcney works on her math homework during advisory.

Students‌ ‌struggling‌ ‌more‌ ‌this‌ ‌year,‌ ‌teachers‌ ‌report‌ ‌

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
October 22, 2021
ASL teacher Lea Clark signs “what’s up?” in American Sign Language.

Fight for ASL successful but class space remains limited

Elizabeth Mehler, news editor
September 23, 2021
Signs in the hallways remind students and faculty to social distance.

In person learning isn’t what it used to be

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
June 3, 2021
Junior Lizzie Nelson holds her vaccination card after receiving her first Covid vaccine dose.

Covid-19 vaccine approved for 16 years and older; students getting vaccinated

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
May 4, 2021
Side view of the Belward Farm barns and farmhouse.

The future for historic Belward Farm holds uncertainty

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
March 30, 2021
Joe Biden campaigning for the 2020 presidential race.

After presidential inauguration, Biden is quick to get to work

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
February 26, 2021
Freshman Danielle Ram waits in the hospital before entering surgery.

Freshman Danielle Ram perseveres through knee surgery, continues to play soccer

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
February 21, 2021
Senior Ryan Meyer continues to practice tennis outside of school.

MCPS should allow in-person sports

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
January 20, 2021
Freshman Kelly Ren

Freshman class president juggles grades, clubs, social life

Elizabeth Mehler, staff writer
January 7, 2021
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